Letters About Literature is an annual contest sponsored by the Center for the Book, a division of the Library of Congress.

From the Read.gov website:

Letters About Literature is a reading and writing contest for students in grades 4-12. Students are asked to read a book, poem or speech and write to that author (living or dead) about how the book affected them personally. Letters are judged on state and national levels. Tens of thousands of students from across the country enter Letters About Literature each year. If you are in grades 4-12, you are eligible to enter the Letters About Literature reading and writing contest. Here are the Rules and Guidelines.

Is there a favorite book or poem that changed your life? Why not write to that author and tell him or her just how important it was? Letters About Literature, sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, encourages students to write to authors. Winners receive national recognition.

LAL awards prizes on both the state and national levels. Each participating state center has its own panel of judges who select the top essayists in the state. State Winners will receive a cash award and advance to the national level judging. A panel of national judges for the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress will select oneNational Winner per competition level to receive a $1,000 cash award. The judges will also select one National Honor winner per competition level to receive a $200 cash award.

I had the distinct privilege to help screen letters at the state level several years ago, and I have been an advocate for this contest ever since. This is a great opportunity to really speak about a book that affected your life, and, hey, the cash prize for winners is a nice incentive, too.

Feel free to see me in the Library Media Center if you would like help composing or submitting a letter!